Gardening experts at the UC Davis Arboretum will tell you that fall is the best time to plant in our part of the world, so if you are ready to start digging, the arboretum is ready to help. Not with the digging, but with choosing the right plants for your needs, and with ideas for great plant combinations.

For advice like this, the place to be is a new workshop titled Great Plants for Central Valley Gardens, scheduled from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Sept. 27. Space is limited; therefore, advance registration is required.

Arboretum officials said Ellen Zagory, director of horticulture, and Missy Borel of UC Davis' California Center for Urban Horticulture will lead the workshop, which has been designed to inspire beginning and experienced gardeners.

In focusing on plants best suited for our climate, workshop organizers said, Zagory and Borel will make note of Arboretum All-Stars, plants selected by the arboretum's horticultural staff for beauty, reliability, heat and drought tolerance, and value in attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other pollinators.

After an introductory presentation on these plants, the organizers said, workshop participants will tour the arboretum's Ruth Storer Garden for more ideas and discussion of plant combinations, and to learn about how to grow a successful perennial garden in the Central Valley.

Then, organizers said, the workshop participants will be given a sneak preview of the arboretum's new Teaching Nursery, as well as the fall crop of Arboretum All-Stars and other plants that will be available at the Arboretum Plant Faire on Oct. 4.

Also, workshop participants will have the opportunity to pose questions about their own gardens and any special problems they might have.

The workshop cost is $35 for members of Friends of the UC Davis Arboretum, $45 otherwise. To register, contact the arboretum at (530) 752-4880 or arboretum@ucdavis.edu.

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